Curse of the Golden Flower

2006RRated R1hr 54m

This lavish epic from director Yimou Zhang follows the romantic intrigue and political machinations in the house of the Emperor Ping and his ailing wife -- a couple whose secret passions and schemes ultimately affect their children's lives.

Curse of the Golden Flower

For Parents

16OK for kids 16+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that kids who liked Hero or House of Flying Daggers will want to see this movie. But while Zhang Yimou directed all of them, this new film is very different -- it's less focused on the martial arts action than on adult themes like betrayal and revenge. Violence includes poisoning, swordfights, knifings, and armies of assassins mustered for combat on palace. There are plenty of bloody results all around.

Sexual Content

The empress is having an affair with her stepson; Wan and Chan have secret affair (they're surprised while half-dressed); the empress' cleavage is frequently visible.

Violence

The emperor is poisoning his wife with a fungus in her medicine (she coughs and faints occasionally); swordplay is swift, bloody, and climactic; characters have scars/brands indicating previous abuses; some one-on-one fighting (punching, slapping, kicking); assault by army of assassins features flaming arrows, hooks, spears, knives, and swords; a character stabs himself in the throat (he lives, with bloody bandages visible in later scenes); a character commits suicide by slashing his own throat (gruesome but brief).

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

The emperor and empress plot against each another, using their children as pawns; corruption in palace among royals and servants; violent showdown leaves everyone hurt or dead.

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable

Legend

Age appropriate

Not an issue

Depends on your kid and your family

Not appropriate for kids of the age most likely to want to see it

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media,
a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.